Residents of The Aspen, one of Denver’s largest city-run homeless shelters, have criticized The Salvation Army over recurring rodent infestations, asbestos exposure, black mold, shuttered bathrooms, accessibility problems and more.
However, officials of the faith-based nonprofit say there is little they can do as the shelter’s operator – other than report those concerns to the city.
The City and County of Denver acquired The Aspen, a former DoubleTree hotel at 4040 Quebec St., for $43 million in 2024, as part of Mayor Mike Johnston’s campaign to move more people off the streets and into shelters.
David Walsh, who worked at The Aspen for approximately 10 months, said much of the physical damage he saw there actually came from residents themselves who “literally trash the place.”…